Extras

Season 1 – 85% – An elegant struggle with the eternal pitfalls of awkwardness. Ricky Gervais has somehow managed to evade me until now, so I was even more curious about his beloved creation, intertwined with a plethora of familiar faces. And since this plethora includes the likes of Kate Winslet and Patrick Stewart, I can only stare in disbelief at what fitting subject material the concept must be, where someone simply likes to make fun of themselves. Although in the end it primarily consists of bite-sized pieces, in most cases they work more than gracefully and provide instant good feelings. Season 2 – 70% – Paradoxically, I would attribute the decline in quality to the overarching storyline. The torment of the sidekick was more impressive in the realm of rehearsed barks, the rocket ride to fame in the form of a banal sitcom quickly loses its appeal, and although it works on a dramatic level and Gervais has plenty to play with, it's doesn't fit. The second flaw is also the fact that it exaggerates what clearly entertained the viewers last time, namely Maggie and her gift of putting her best friend in the most impossible situation and teasing him through her innocence. And that bothers me a little because her intelligence drops too steeply, just like Darren's ability to arrange even the simplest detail. There are too many storylines based on Andy's problems, caused by his loved ones unintentionally, and that's exactly the type of humor that I don't find particularly funny. It disappoints me quite a bit because the guests are possibly even better than before, especially Daniel Radcliffe, who keeps delivering one funny impossibility after another. The Extra Special Series Finale – 80% – Something tells me that this is the direction the main creator always wanted to go. Instead of self-reflection, there are punchlines about how money and fame can't replace the feeling of friendship. Scenes in the predominantly British mood are cautiously imbued with pathos, yet purely civilian and surprisingly moving. I understand that for viewers who came for the usual dose of celebrities, just in a larger package, a similar heartfelt approach must be a harsh awakening. However, I have always enjoyed serious finales of comedy endeavors. (10/09/2018)